PCR Applications

GC-Rich PCR

Break the Bond

When do you need it?

GC-rich PCR concerns DNA templates with high GC content, which is defined as the percentage of guanine-cytosine base pairs. When amplifying templates with >60% GC content (i.e 5' ends of most mammalian cDNAs), the three hydrogen bonds shared by GC pairs lead to enhanced thermostability, which is problematic for un-optimized Taq polymerase systems.

How is it achieved?

Destabilizing GC base pairs is the key to tackling GC-rich PCR. This is achieved by supplementing the reaction buffer with GC-melt and DMSO to disrupt or destabilize base pairing, and by using a robust polymerase mix that maintains processivity in the presence of these additives.

What makes our PCR polymerases the best?

We offer high performance enzyme mixes and kits for GC-rich PCR, suited for templates with up to 90% GC content.